Safin out to catch Federer express
Marat Safin, back to his best with a record-equalling third Paris Masters title, hopes to be a match for world No1 Roger Federer next year.
The Russian, seventh in the tennis rankings, is the only player apart from Federer to have won back-to-back Masters Series tournaments this season, his Paris success following victory in Madrid last month.
Safin, who beat Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the Paris final, will sign off at next week's Masters Cup in Houston. He said: "Nobody really looks forward to playing against Federer, under any circumstances, because he is way too good.
"You have to be in really good condition to beat Roger. Next year, I will try to do my best and try to compete with him."
Amelie Mauresmo, of France, beat Russia's Vera Zvonareva to retain the Advanta Championship title in Philadelphia.
